In what will be a major shakeup for electricity market, NSW households can now quickly change electricity deals with Service NSW’s free Energy Switch service, potentially saving them up to $1000 a year on their bills.

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant today announced the new cost of living initiative and encouraged the residents of the electorate to test out the new quick and easy price comparison and switching tool.

“Energy Switch is a game changer for NSW households trying to reduce cost of living pressure. There are a lot of Government price comparison websites – but this takes things to the next level. It empowers citizens by enabling them a change electricity providers and lock in a better deal with the click of a mouse or a quick chat with Service NSW.” Mr Grant said.

"Energy Switch uses a customer’s latest e-bill to scan the entire retail electricity market, giving them a list of the cheapest three electricity plans available based on their individual usage profile. If a switch is requested, Service NSW will inform the energy provider, taking the leg work out of the process for the customer.

“We know power prices are a pinch point for many households which is why this service has been established to help reduce the cost of living.

“Cost of living is a big issue facing local families and this initiative could provide them with much needed bill relief."

Energy Switch will allow people to regularly review their plan as electricity usage and prices fluctuate over time.

Research carried out by Service NSW found 70 per cent of NSW households pay too much for electricity, particularly customers who haven’t switched for more than 12 months

Energy Switch is one a raft of NSW Government initiatives helping to ease cost of living pressure for households. Others include cheaper Green Slips and refunds, Active Kids vouchers, free car registration for regular toll users and the FuelCheck app.

Orana Mid-Western Police District will be one of 58 commands across NSW to receive a Child Protection Officer and an Elder Abuse Prevention Officer.

Member for Dubbo and Minister for Police Troy Grant was on hand on Tuesday to announce that 1500 new police will be added to the NSW Police Force over the next four years – the biggest increase in 30 years.

Mr Grant said protecting some of the most vulnerable members of our community – our children and the elderly – is undoubtedly one of the most important roles that NSW Police perform.

“The 1500 extra police will benefit every single community across NSW including Dubbo, thanks to a record investment of $583 million by the Liberals & Nationals Government,” Mr Grant said.

“The NSW Government has already delivered more than 1000 new police since we were elected, and these 1500 new recruits will put more police where they are needed – out on the frontline, tackling crime across the state.

“NSW has some of the lowest crime rates in 20 years, and with this boost to police numbers, our men and women in blue will be able to meet future crime challenges head on.

“To ensure police have greater capability to keep a watchful eye on known offenders against children, and ensure our elderly are better protected from abuse, all commands across NSW will receive a Child Protection Officer and Elder Abuse Prevention Officer.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the safety and security of NSW communities is the Government’s highest priority.

“NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has provided the Government with a resourcing blueprint for the NSW Police Force that focuses on proactive and high visibility policing,” said Ms Berejiklian.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s careful economic management is enabling us to make record investments in our frontline services. These 1,500 new police are another example of our hard work paying off for the community.”

NSW Commissioner of Police Mick Fuller said this commitment to the New South Wales Police Force is historic.

“I am very excited at the opportunities we’ll now have to enhance our capability,” Commissioner Fuller said.

“We have re-engineered the organisation to ensure our structure has us well placed to prevent, disrupt and respond to crime throughout the community.

“Now we can also grow the Force to boost our efforts even further.”

President of the Police Association of NSW Tony King said this investment in police numbers will undoubtedly help ease the burden and strain on current officers.

“I am thrilled the Government has listened and worked with us to deliver the biggest increase in police numbers in more than three decades,” said Mr King.

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has welcomed the arrival of a Tresillian Family Care Centre in Dubbo.

Mr Grant was part of a delegation that officially opened the facility, which is the result of a joint partnership been Tresillian, the NSW Government and the Western NSW Local Health District and will focus on supporting local parents struggling with the demands of a new baby.

“We are pleased to partner with the Tresillian to open a new Family Care Centre in Dubbo,” Mr Grant said.

“This important initiative is aligned with the NSW Rural Health Plan which emphasises the need for service development in maternal, child and family healthcare in rural and regional areas.

“Earlier this year, the NSW Government announced $2.2 million in funding for five new regional Tresillian Centres, including Dubbo.”

The arrival of Tresillian in the city will alleviate the need for parents to travel to access vital support with their babies and toddlers.

“At the moment, many parents experiencing complex issues such as mental health, have to travel vast distances to access specialist services but the opening of this facility in Dubbo means families will now be able to receive specialist support closer to home,” Tresillian CEO Robert Mills said.

“The presence of Tresillian’s specialist child and family health expertise, in Dubbo and surrounding communities will also enhance the capacity of the Western NSW rural health workforce with professional development and clinical support.”

Tresillian is Australia’s largest early parenting organisation offering an array of programs to help parents with the challenges often experienced in the critical early years of their child’s life, while importantly focusing on the emotional wellbeing of the family as a whole.

“The new Centre will be a hub providing specialist child and family health services to families across Western NSW LHD,” said Western NSW LHD chief executive Scott McLachlan.

“The services available to families will include centre-based and home-based consultations, group programs and importantly video-consultations which will extend the reach of the service to provide access to families across the local health district.”

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant and Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams have announced $300,000 in grant funding is available for multicultural projects in NSW.

The Multicultural NSW Celebrating Diversity Projects grants program particularly supports projects that demonstrate collaborative relationships and partnerships between the private sector and community and non-government organisations.

“There are so many dedicated organisations in our local community that devote endless time, passion and energy into supporting our multicultural community,” Mr Grant said.

“These grants will support programs, activities and networks in our local community to develop and thrive, especially where service gaps or unmet community needs exist.

“I encourage all eligible local community organisations to consider applying for the Multicultural NSW Celebrating Diversity Projects Grants.”

Mr Williams said grants of up to $40,000 were available for meaningful 12-month projects.

“These grants are available to all eligible organisations and will have positive long-term effects in our community,” Mr Williams said.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government works hard to deliver great outcomes for diverse communities all over NSW. I especially encourage regional and new and emerging communities to apply for this program.”

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has today announced the completion of the $945,000 upgrade of the Mudgee Regional Airport which has been funded in full by the NSW Government.

“The upgraded facilities at the Mudgee Regional Airport will draw more visitors to this popular tourist destination and provide opportunities for future growth,” Mr Grant said.

“This government is committed to boosting tourism in regional NSW which is why we have provided $79 million to regional airports around the state to upgrade their terminals and airside facilities under the

Restart NSW Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund.”

The upgrade of Mudgee Regional Airport included extending the taxiway, a terminal fit-out, upgrading water and sewerage services and providing support for ground handling services.

George Campbell Drive was realigned and the existing airside boundary relocated to maximise the airside land for future development.

Mr Grant said the upgrade would stimulate growth through the potential to add additional flights which would increase the opportunity for Mudgee to attract events, drawing more visitors to the area.

“Mudgee’s wineries, beautiful township and natural attractions already bring large numbers of visitors to the area, and the opportunity to grow those tourist numbers will attract further investment,” Mr Grant said.

“New visitors will stay in local accommodation and spend money with local businesses and that’s going to generate further business growth and create more local jobs.”

Mr Grant congratulated the Mid-Western Regional Council on upgrading the airport, saying as well as attracting more tourists to Mudgee it would strengthen air links for those who live and work in the region.

Member for Dubbo Troy Grant has today welcomed the NSW Government’s $500 million Emergency Drought Relief Package, which will help farmers right across the region.

Mr Grant said he had listened to local farmers and had fed the information and advice he received back into cabinet.

“This is the land of drought and flooding rains, and sadly this drought is taking its toll with many farmers and rural communities under extreme financial and emotional pressure.”

The package announced today takes the Government’s drought support to more than $1 billion, with $584 million announced in June 2018.

With 99 per cent of the state now in drought and farmers facing one of the driest winters on record, we know this package is essential not just for our farmers but the continued productivity of our regional communities.

Mr Grant said the severity of the drought across the state has resulted in failing crops, drastic water shortages and a diminishing supply of fodder to sustain livestock.

“A major feature of this package is the introduction of transport subsidies, this measure recognises the fact that in many areas people have been forced to cart fodder because the local supply is drying up,” Mr Grant said.

“We will also backdate this measure to earlier in the year when we began to see conditions deteriorate.

“As part of the emergency funding, waivers will apply on Local Land Services annual rates, fixed charges on water licences, registration costs for class 1 agricultural vehicles and interest for existing Farm Innovation Fund loans.”

“I still encourage people to access the Drought Assistance Loans which have now totalled more than $14 million in applications.”

Drought Transport Subsidies; (Subsidies will be back-dated to include an additional prorated amount for expenses incurred in the previous six months. Up to 50% of the full cost of transporting fodder, livestock to agistment, slaughter, sale and water for stock will be made available to eligible farmers.)

Waived Local Land Services annual rates, fixed water charges in rural and regional areas, as well as class 1 agricultural vehicle registration;

Support services including counselling and mental health;

Community assistance including water cartage and drought-related road infrastructure improvements;

Animal welfare and stock disposal.

The Government will also allocate an additional $150 million to the Farm Innovation Fund, reflecting significant uptake by farmers across the State.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority will begin processing applications from Monday August 6. For more information on the NSW Government’s emergency drought relief package visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au.

It has been an incredible honour to be the voice of the Dubbo electorate in the NSW Parliament.

I entered State Parliament in 2011, and since then, I’ve felt privileged fighting for a better deal for our region. I’ve been focused on making sure our area, which was previously out of sight and mostly out of mind, became a priority for investment. I remain focused on continuing to bring record investment to our communities until the next election.

The Dubbo electorate is a standout example of a thriving regional area thanks to our diverse economy, transport hub, tourism, strong agricultural sector and salt of the earth people. I might be biased, but it is truly one of the best places to live in NSW, if not Australia.

Our community has seen unprecedented investment in local infrastructure and services, including hospital redevelopments, road upgrades and education spending. I have worked tirelessly since my first day in the job to transform our region and I feel enormously humbled and grateful for having been given the opportunity at two state elections.

Our community is a regional economic powerhouse, which is something that we can all be proud of and benefit from.

Due to our success working together during my time in parliament, we have secured over $1 billion for the Dubbo electorate in key programs and projects, in addition to core government funding.

I have never taken the confidence the people of the Dubbo electorate have placed in me for granted and I’m proud of the great wins we’ve secured. To achieve these results, I have put my heart and soul into the role and worked my guts out for the area. The job has come at enormous personal cost. I’ve always given the role my all - 7 days a week over the last 8 years, with the same honesty, hard work and integrity as I did as a police officer for 22 years.

I’m not retiring from state politics because of another job or scandal, I have come to the realisation that after 30 years in service to my community, I can no longer give the role my all, and I am being honest with the electorate. I do not have the energy needed to work at the level required to secure the electorate’s ongoing success for another four years. I’m not one to coast along or simply occupy such a vital position in the community. It’s not in my nature or character to be elected for four years and take the position for granted.

The next member will need to give their all, make significant sacrifices and have the ability to form strong relationships with key decision makers to ensure the electorate’s success. My retirement from politics will allow me to pursue new opportunities and allow me to spend more time with my family during this important time in their lives. I cannot thank my family enough for allowing me to serve and I’ll be forever grateful for their love, support and sacrifice.

I want to thank my amazing local supporters, branch members, my staff, government agencies and the broader community for all their support since I left my career in the NSW Police force to campaign for the seat of Dubbo in Parliament. I am truly grateful.

Construction of the new Mudgee Health Service is underway, which will deliver a brand new state-of-the-art hospital and community health services under the one roof.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Member for Dubbo Troy Grant today turned the first sod at the site to mark the start of construction for the new $70.2 million facility.

Ms Berejiklian said the project was an important investment in the future health and wellbeing of the people in Mudgee and surrounding communities.

“Our investment in Mudgee Health Service will ensure these facilities continue to provide critical services for the growing population here in Mudgee,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Mr Grant said he was delighted to see the progress on the hospital project, which had involved a lot of local consultation.

“I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of the Western NSW Local Health District and Health Infrastructure, Mudgee hospital staff and the many other local groups and organisations who have worked on the planning for the new facility,” Mr Grant said.

“It’s been a great community effort and has received strong support from the people of Mudgee.”

The new hospital will offer a range of services including emergency care, general medical and surgery, maternity, ambulatory care, dental, renal dialysis and oncology.

The new facility will be built in stages, on the existing hospital site, with all current services continuing to operate throughout the redevelopment.

Early works include site preparation, demolition of existing structures and construction of temporary accommodation for a range of health services. Main works construction will commence following planning approval.